Tribute to Colin Claridge

Life was not easy for Colin Claridge, but his remarkable perspective and the love and support of his old friends helped sustain him, and kept a roof over his head when things became dire.

Gympie man Colin Claridge

A Gympie man who dealt with a physical affliction his entire life and whose great intelligence and compassion were well known died suddenly on November 6, at the age of 59.

Colin David Claridge-Leitch was among the first intakes of students at James Nash State High School in the early 1980s.

He went on to lead a mostly solitary life with his beloved cats, but stayed in touch with his childhood friends through social media, and wrote a series of incisive opinion pieces for The Gympie Times in 2016, where he delighted in skewering politicians and their politics.

A young Colin helped design the Gympie flag with Gary Hauschknecht in a contest following the 1983 Gold Rush festival.

It flew for the first time at the Town Hall in December 1984, but was then stored away until January 2005, when it reappeared at Gympie’s centenary celebrations.

His school friends this week compiled a moving tribute to Colin.

Gympie man Colin Claridge (left) with his classmates at James Nash in the 1980s, including Mark Lawler, Dolly Jensen and Angie Brown.

“Colin, a beacon of light in a world that often cast shadows, passed away unexpectedly on the 6th November of this year,” they said.

“Through his life, his physical character was marked by challenges, but his spirit soared way beyond those limitations.

“Raised by his loving grandmother, Colin faced every adversity with unwavering courage and despite his struggles, he cultivated beautiful friendships, but above all, Colin found solace and joy in the company of his beloved feline companions.

“We, his classmates, remember a gentle soul who often needed a helping hand.

Gympie man Colin Claridge has been remembered fondly by his James Nash classmates as a brilliant man with a gentle soul.

“We took pride in protecting him from the cruelty of bullies, ensuring he could navigate school life with dignity and later (just recently) when his housing became the crisis, our school friend, Geoff Stern let Colin rent a unit from him back in town.

“Despite missing Tin Can Bay terribly, through it all, Colin maintained a remarkable optimism, viewing the world with wonder and appreciation.

By Colin Claridge: ‘I did not vote for Pauline Hanson out of fear and ignorance’

“A brilliant mind, Colin possessed an intellect that knew no bounds.

“His unique perspective enriched the lives of those fortunate enough to know him.

“The world is undeniably poorer for his loss.

“As we mourn his untimely departure, let us celebrate the life of a truly extraordinary individual.

“May his memory forever inspire us to embrace kindness, compassion, and the inherent beauty of every soul.”

Colin’s graveside funeral will be held at 1pm on Wednesday, November 27, at 93 Cartwright Road, Gympie.